by Chris Reeves
Synopsis: Should songs of praise offered to God as worship during the Christian era be acapella (i.e., without musical accompaniment) or is the use of instrumental music an acceptable alternative?
In 2015, USA Today ran an article about the Otter Creek Church of Christ in Brentwood, TN, that did something "radical" by adding instrumental music for the first time to their Sunday service. The story went on to report that about 20 of the 12,000 Church of Christ congregations nationwide now offer instrumental music and those congregations started adding instruments around the early 2000s.
Many religious people today, including some brethren, simply do not understand the music question. One thing they known about [most] churches of Christ is the absence of instrumental music, but they do not know why. Various religious denominations act as if instrumental music has always been in their church. (See the many quotes from church scholars and historians to the contrary.) They cannot seem to understand why churches of Christ do not have instruments as well. Often we are asked, "Why don't you use an instrument?" or "Why don't you have music?"
What exactly is the issue with the instrumental music question? (Remember, it's always good to be able to state and understand the root issue of any question first, before proceeding on to the details of that question.) This issue is not: Do we believe in music? Yes, we do. Do we use or like mechanical instruments of music outside the worship service? Yes, we do. Can we afford a mechanical instrument for the church? Absolutely. Do we have the musicians to play a mechanical instrument in the church? Certainly. Are mechanical instruments of music in worship to God found in the Bible? Of course, they are. Are mechanical instruments of music themselves sinful? No, they are not.
So, what is the issue? The issue is: What kind of music is authorized by God? Vocal music, instrumental music, or both? What kind of music is authorized by God in the New Testament, for use by the New Testament church? Is mechanical instrumental music in worship to God sinful and unauthorized?
In this article, I want to first make the case for singing (without instruments) in the New Testament, and then I want to answer some arguments that some people put forth in favor of instrumental music in worship to God.
When you examine all the New Testament, you find that there are six passages that involve music in worship to God with Christians (individually or in the assembly). They are:
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them (Acts 16:25).
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also (1 Cor. 14:15).
Speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord (Eph. 5:19).
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God (Col. 3:16).
Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name (Heb. 13:15).
Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise (James 5:13).
When you examine these passages carefully, you will note that all them, except for Hebrews 13:15, refer to "sing" or "singing." There are three more passages that speak of singing even though Christians are not involved. One pertains to Jesus and His disciples, and the other two are quotations from the Old Testament. They are:
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out unto the mount of Olives (Matt. 26:30, cf. Mark 14:26).
And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, Therefore will I give praise unto thee among the Gentiles, And sing unto thy name (Rom. 15:9).
Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, In the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise (Heb. 2:12).
There are passages in Revelation, of course, where heavenly beings praise God. However, regarding God's people on the earth, these are all the passages on music in the New Testament that refer to worshipping God and most involve Christians. Every example is that of singing. No one disagrees the New Testament teaches that singing is right; all admit from these nine passages that singing is right. Singing is what is authorized in the New Testament.
Some people use the Bible to justify instrumental music in worship to God. Let's briefly examine and answer some of these arguments.
Argument: Instruments were used in Patriarchal times (Gen. 4:21; Exod. 15:20-21). Answer: What was used by individuals in Patriarchal times does not apply to the local church in the New Testament.
Argument: Instruments were used by King David in the Psalms (1 Chron. 23:5; 2 Chron. 29:25-28; Ps. 98:5-6; 149:3; 150:3-5). Answer: What was used in the temple service in the Old Testament does not apply to the local church in the New Testament. The Law of Moses as has been abolished (Rom. 7:6; Col. 2:14; Heb. 10:9). Are you willing to introduce other Old Testament practices into the church such as the Sabbath day, the Passover, animal sacrifices, incense, etc.? In Psalm 149 and 150, there is dancing with instruments. Would this authorize church dancing today? In Psalm 66:15, there is sacrifices and incense. Would this authorize church burnt offerings and incense today?
Argument: Instruments were used by the father of the prodigal (Luke 15:25). Answer: What was used by individuals in a personal party does not apply to worship in the local church (see also Matt. 11:16-17).
Argument: Instruments were referenced by Paul (1 Cor. 13:1; 14:7-9). Answer: Paul was using an illustration of an instrument to make a point, not describing New Testament worship (see also 1 Cor. 9:24).
Argument: Instruments are used in Ephesians 5:19 because the Greek word psallo (psallantes = "making melody") is used and this word means "to play an instrument." Answer: Paul wrote, "speaking … in psalms" and "singing" (Eph. 5:19). There is no instrument here. The "heart" is specified as the object of "making melody" (see also Col. 3:16). The object [an instrument of any kind] is not inherent in the definition of psallo. The object must be determined, specified, or supplied by the context. Yes, the Greek word psallo can mean "to play an instrument," but in NT times, it meant to "sing." The basic meaning of psallo is literally, "to pluck; to twang; to twitch; to strike;" then, to play an instrument; then, to sing." Greek lexicographers are careful to point out the change in meaning in psallo from OT times to NT times: from plucking, to playing, to singing. Read the verse again and take note of some things. Psallantes ("making melody") is a command for everyone, not just one person playing an instrument or a few. Psallantes ("making melody") is done "with your heart," not with a mechanical instrument. And, with regard to "psalms" in the NT, they were quoted (Luke 20:42; 24:44; Acts 1:20; 13:33), spoken (1 Cor. 14:26), and sung (Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; James 5:19; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3;16), but never played. Psallo, by NT times, meant "to sing," not "to play."
Argument: Instruments will be used by Jesus (1 Thess. 4:16). Answer: What Jesus uses at His second coming has nothing to do with New Testament worship now in the church.
Argument: Instruments are used in heaven (Rev. 14:2). Answer: John heard a "voice," not an instrument. The "voice" began to "sing" (v. 3). Also, the word "as" or "like" (Greek hos) is used three times in verse two to show what the "voice" sounded like (see ASV, NASV, NIV, RSV, NRSV). However, you might say, what about Revelation 5:7-8; 15:2-3? What is done in this heavenly scene does not apply to the New Testament church on earth (see Matt. 22:30). Revelation also speaks of a throne, a sea of glass, golden bowls, lamps, living creatures, precious stones, incense, and many other things in heaven. Should all these things be in the church also?
Other people use human reasoning to justify instrumental music in worship to God. Let's briefly examine and answer some of these arguments.
Argument: Where does the Bible say not to use instruments? Answer: When God specifies one kind of music for worship, any other kind of music is excluded. God specified "singing" in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. Had God said, "Make music," any kind of music would be authorized. We go by what God says, not by what He does not say (Lev. 10:1; Deut. 17:3; 18:20; Jer. 7:31; Acts 15:24). Remember, a practice does not have to be expressly forbidden to be sinful.
Argument: The New Testament does not specifically prescribe instruments or forbid them. They are "adiaphorous." (This is a term used by the Lutheran Church and others, and it means morally neutral; neither right nor wrong). Answer: God has spoken about the kind of music he wants in the church (see above). When he specifically authorizes "singing," all other music is forbidden.
Argument: There is no specific mention of instruments in the New Testament, like church buildings. The Scriptures are "silent" on mechanical instruments, so the issue is in the realm of opinion. Answer: This is mixing "apples and oranges." The church building is authorized under the generic authority to assemble (Heb. 10:25). The instrument is excluded by the specific authority to sing.
Argument: Instruments are only an "aid," like songs books, song leaders, or a pitch pipe. Answer: A true "aid" does not add anything to, or change in any way, that which is specified. A true "aid" is not an addition. Mechanical instruments of music are an addition. When using a songbook, one thing is still being done—singing. When singing with a mechanical instrument, two things are being done – singing music and playing music. God's generic authority allows any expedient or aid to fulfill the generic authority. An "aid" first must be lawful (1 Cor. 6:12-13; 10:23); secondly, it must edify (1 Cor. 10:23); and, third, it must not cause destruction (1 Cor. 8:13; 10:32-33). But, in the case of music, we have not generic authority, but specific authority: "singing."
Argument: We use instrumental music in the home. Answer: There are some things that are morally right when done in the home, but religiously wrong when done in the church (Mark 7:3-7; 1 Cor. 11:22, 34; Gal. 5:1-4).
Argument: I use my talent to praise God. I have a God-given talent to play the piano in worship. Answer: This argument would allow anything in worship to God. Standing on your head and hog calling are talents. Should these be in the church? God's prescription and pattern come first (Exod. 25-30), then man's talent (Exod. 31, 35-39), not the other way around.
Argument: I don't see any harm in it. I like it. It sounds good. Answer: What about Eve (Gen. 3)? What about Uzzah (2 Sam. 6:6-7)? The important thing is what does God want? What does He like (1 Cor. 2:12-13)? What does God say (Heb. 1:1-2)? Will-worship, what we want, is sinful (Col. 2:23; see also Matt. 15:9 and Acts 17:22-23; Isa. 55:8-9; Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12)! "What saith the scriptures (Rom. 4:3)?" should be our guideline, not, "What do I like?"
So, to recap, why don't we use instruments of music in worship to God? It's not because we do not like it or there is no one to play them. It's not because we cannot afford them. It's not because our "Church of Christ tradition" prohibits them (a so-called "Restoration Movement tradition"). It's not because we just want to stay away from what the denominations are doing without cause. It's not because we simply want to provide an "a cappella singing alternative (tradition)" to the religious community.
We do not use instruments of music in worship to God because they were never commanded by Christ (Matt. 28:18-20; Col. 3:17). They go beyond the doctrine of Christ and add to the word of God (2 John 9-11). They make for vain worship (Matt. 15:1-9). They are not a part of true worship (John 4:24), not a part of the "the truth" of the apostles (John 16:13; 17:17), and not a part of walking by faith (Rom. 10:17). We do not use instruments of music in worship to God because it creates division which is sinful (John 17:20; 1 Cor. 1:10) and it cannot accomplish what God wants to be done. God wants singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).
The fact is, instruments of music were never used in the NT church. Please provide the NT passage that speaks of a mechanical instrument of music in worship to God in the church. Many quotes from church history could be given here to show that instruments of music were introduced into worship by the Catholic Church sometime between AD 600 to 800.
Do you understand better the issue over the instrument? We "sing" because that is what God said he wanted. We refuse to play a mechanical instrument because God never authorized it in the New Testament. We can unite upon what is in the New Testament. We can never unite upon what is not in the NT. Mechanical instruments of music in worship to God by Christians are never found in the New Testament. Do you want unity or division? Do you want divine authority or human wisdom?
Hall, Heidi. "Church of Christ opens door to musical instruments." USA Today. March 06, 2015. Accessed January 12, 2018. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/03/06/church-of-christ-instrumental-music/24499691.
Author Bio: Chris Reeves preaches for the Warfield Blvd church of Christ in Clarksville, TN. His website is TheGoodTeacher.com. He can be reached at chrisreevesmail@gmail.com.
